Traditional Icelandic Shawl

In November I had a lovely visit with Halldóra and Irina and they just so happened to bring a little gift with them from Lóa! A beautiful set of wool to make my own Hyrna, a traditional Icelandic shawl! I hadn’t been knitting for months and this was just the kick in the pants I needed to pick up my needles again. I made my way over to the Purple Purl  to pick up some addi Turbo needles (the best needles IMO) so I could get started.

Getting started
The beauty yarn

The wool is from Hespuhúsið in Hvanneyri where the Loa took me the last time I visited. The set she sent me contained 150 grams of beautifully plant-based dyed, Icelandic lamb-wool with a pattern in tow. I checked it out and you can find wool from Hespuhúsið on Etsy.

Knitting away
Knitting away

I knitted intensely for a couple solid weeks until it was time to cast-off. Once the shawl was off the needles I decided it was time to try blocking… truth be told, I had never blocked before. Look at all those lumps and bubbles, it was time I give it a try.

Cast-off
Cast-off

After giving the wool a good wash I set it out on a towel and pinned it in place, letting it dry and take form.

Blocking!
Blocking!

Boom. Look at that lump-less beauty!

Finished!
Post blocking!

And just like that it was time to rock the shawl.

Ta-dah!
Ta-dah!

I’m so delightfully happy with this and loving the colours. Now all I need is a broach to hold it together 🙂

5 Comments

  1. Gamli
    December 31, 2015 / 9:41 pm

    Just lovely, I can just see you with your own Spinning Wheel making
    your own Lopi thread, foot driven one of course!!!! First you need your
    own Carding tool….
    Gamli

  2. January 1, 2016 / 1:00 am

    Your Icelandic shawl is beautiful and you definitely rock it , it looks amazing on you:) Happy New Year!! xoxo

  3. March 26, 2016 / 5:19 pm

    I purchased a similar box set while in Iceland and am finally getting to making the same shawl! Inspiring post! 🙂 I am *almost* done!

    • April 15, 2016 / 2:49 pm

      What colours did you get? Have you finished now? I’d love to see a picture!

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